that was the case in 1992 when he sent a hand-written note to president clinton. the strongest steel must pass through the hottest fire. in enduring that ordeal, you have demonstrate thad you have the character to lead. >> it's a very fascinating letter because he's opening up the door to a new incoming president that i'm on your side, that i'm impressed by you, that you have the moxie, you have the steel to be president, and i'm here. and that started the beginning of a great friendship between clinton and nixon. >> reporter: presidential historical douglas brinkley says the relationship served him well. >> nixon was able to rehabilitate himself and had been shunned largely by reagan and bush and was welcoming in overture with the new democratic president and clinton took it. >> reporter: over the next two year s nixon offered clinton hi skper stees on foreign affairs. when nixon died a few months later it was clinton who eulogized him. >> today is a day for his family and his friends and his nation to remember president nixon's life in totality. to them let us s